*

to

can be entertained, as to the purity of my purposes and motives. * * * In the history of conquerors and usurpers, never, in the fire of youth, nor in the vigour of manhood, could I find an attraction to lure me from the path of duty; and now, I shall scarcely find an inducement to commence their career of ambition, when gray hairs, and a decaying frame, instead of inviting to toil and battle, call me to the contemplation of other worlds, where conquerors cease to be honoured, and usurpers expiate their crimes. The only ambition I can feel, is to acquit myself to Him to whom I must soon render an account of my stewardship, to serve my fellow-men, and live respected and honoured in the history of my country. No: the ambition which leads me on, is an anxious desire, and a fixed determination, to return to the people, unimpaired, the sacred trust they have confided to my charge; persuade my countrymen, so far as I may, that it is not in a splendid government, supported by powerful monopolies, and aristocratical establishments, that they will find happiness, or their liberties protection; but in a plain system, void of pomp-dispensing its blessings, like the dews of Heaven, unseen and unfelt, save in the freshness and beauty they contribute to produce. It is such a government that the genius of our people requires-such an one only, under which our states may remain, for ages to come, united, prosperous, and free. If the Almighty Being, who has hitherto sustained and protected me, will vouchsafe to make my feeble powers instrumental to such a result, I shall anticipate, with pleasure, the place to be assigned to me in the history of my country, and die, contented with the belief, that I have contributed, in some small degree, to increase the value, and prolong the duration, of American liberty."

When he retired from the presidential chair, and sought again that home he so much loved, it was with a reputation as a statesman, equal, if not superior to that he enjoyed as a warrior.

The evening of his life is destined to be calm and beautiful. Up to this period, it had been spent, from childhood, in the midst of perils, storms, and tempests; and now, for the first time, he felt the sweet and gentle influences of peace. Though always governed by a high degree of religious feeling, his life had been such, whilst surrounded by enemies, that he could not render that devotion to his God, which marked and characterized the latter years of his life. But now, these influences were no longer at work, and this man of iron laid himself down at the foot of the cross. Yes, my fellow-citizens, this stern and heroic warrior—this firm and unbending statesman, became a meek and lowly follower of Jesus. Every Sabbath day saw that aged man kneeling before the altar of God, and in his prayers he forgot not his country, but invoked the blessings of Heaven upon it. Years roll around, and though the hand

of disease is upon him-though pain and suffering are ever present, and death constantly hovering around, his soul and intellect are as firm as in the vigour of manhood, whilst his devotion to his God, and his love for his country, remain unchanged.

His career is fast hastening to a close. Great and good as he is, yet he too must die. Soon, his children shall no longer hear his voice of kindness and affection-the poor and the afflicted shall miss his tones of consolation; and deeds of charity and his country, ah! where shall she look, to find another like unto him. The last day he is to spend on earth, is at hand. He feels upon him the hand of death, and prays "that his enemies may find peace, and that the liberties of his country may endure for ever."

In this hour, he could not witness the grief of those he loved, and when the sobs of his children broke upon his ear, "Do not weep," said he, "my sufferings are less than those of Christ upon the cross." His household were all assembled, and around him were gathered children and servants, who would have died for him, could they have thereby assuaged his pain. He spoke to them of religion in words of eloquence, and implored them to put their trust in God, and then bade them farewell :-"Dear children, servants, and friends," said he, "I trust to meet you all in Heaven, both white and black, all, both white and black." Thus died the greatest man of his age.

"The veteran died as a Christian dies,

With hope in his Saviour God,

And now, on that brave old heart there lies
The heavy and fresh green sod;

But his deeds will tell, when his crumbling dust,
From his frame shall fall, and his falchion rust."

EULOGY

DELIVERED AT CHARLOTTE, TENN., JULY 17, 1845,

BY

J. G. HARRIS, Esq.

OUR country mourns the loss of an illustrious benefactor. Andrew Jackson departed this life at the Hermitage, on Sunday, the 8th of June, ultimo, at six o'clock in the afternoon, having advanced to the age of seventy-eight years.

The soldier, the patriot, the statesman, the sage, rests from the cares and anxieties of an eventful career, and with the Christian's full hope, confidently awaits the last trump which shall summon his spirit to realms of immortality.

He was ready to die. friend, an honest man.

He had lived a kind neighbour, a true

He had served his country faithfully-having filled the measure of its glory to the brim-and his unbounded solicitude for its permanent and enduring welfare was, up to the last hour of his life, ardent, unabated.

He had been spared, by a merciful Providence, to enjoy more than one man's share of years; and throughout the long and lingering illness which preceded his closing scene, he often announced his entire readiness to "march" hence whenever "the word” should' be given from on High; or, as he sometimes said, "at the first tap of the drum."

He is gone. He sleeps with his fathers. His name is registered high among the highest, upon the scroll of fame.

You all know something, much, of his character-many of you more than I can tell. Some of you have been his compatriots ir. arms-others have enjoyed his acquaintance, his friendship-the aged are well informed of his history, and the youth have doubtless heard their fathers and mothers describe his deeds of greatness. Tennesseeans all knew him, and his renown is the highest pride of their state. The American people knew him, and with

out his solicitation they repeatedly heaped upon him their highest honours, as the meed of their admiration of his character, their gratitude for his eminent public services.

Born in South Carolina, 1767, he entered the Revolutionary war at the age of fourteen, in which he received an honourable wound. The study of the law he commenced in 1784, and was admitted to the bar as a practitioner in 1786. At the age of twenty-one he emigrated to this section of the country, which was then the southwestern territory of the Union, where he was appointed the attorney of the government. Educated in the schools of the Revolutionary period, he had yet much to acquire by personal application, nor did he fail in the acquisition. At an early day his superior qualifications for the public service were recognised by the bold and enterprising spirits of the sparsely settled territory to which he had come, and when, in 1795, it became necessary to form a constitution for the new state of Tennessee, he was chosen a member of the convention assembled for that purpose. He so distinguished himself in that assembly, as giving tone to a constitution which has been the admiration of eminent statesmen, that he was made the first representative in Congress under it. At the expiration of his term, being thirty years of age, he was elected to the United States Senate, which place he resigned after the second year of its occupancy, accepting an invitation to preside over the highest court of this state.

Thus, at the age of thirty-three years, had he risen gradually, from a lawyer's clerkship, to the supreme bench, from the ranks of the Revolution to the American Senate.

It was natural, therefore, that at the opening of the British and Indian wars, public attention should turn to him as the champion of our country's rights in the West. Having been the choice of Tennessee as a general of the militia twelve years before, he experienced little or no difficulty in raising twenty-five hundred volunteers for the service, from amongst the brave and patriotic spirits of this region, to provide for whose comfort he advanced five thousand dollars from his own purse, and at whose head he repaired to the Creek nation in the year following, terminating, in a few months, the fearful border difficulties which existed at the time.

The government beheld him as the master-spirit of the Southwest, and in 1814, conferred on him the appointment of brigadiergeneral in the United States army. With the Creeks, whom he had already subdued, he now established an advantageous treaty, and then marched to Pensacola to chastise the Spanish authorities for their treacherous conduct in harbouring and protecting our enemy, the British and Indians. Pensacola was reduced-Fort Barrancas surrendered-and the enemy dispersed.

Apprised that the British were contemplating an attack upon

Davies, how his soul must have been on fire to join their bands, and meet, in arms, the oppressors of his country. Little did England dream, that her cruelty was then laying the foundation of a military education in the mind of a young boy, which was afterwards to show itself by the destruction of "the flower of her army," on the plains of New Orleans.

Hugh Jackson, the eldest brother of Andrew, lost his life in the first battle of South Carolina, yet the widowed mother sent out her two remaining sons to fight for their country's freedom; and in the attack made by Colonel Sumpter, on Hanging Rock, the boys behaved with daring and courage, though Andrew was but thirteen years of age.

Shortly after this, Andrew Jackson, with nine of his neighbours, repulsed a band of Tories, who came in the night to surprise and capture Captain Sands. Jackson heard them approaching, and alone, he sallied out to meet them. The report of his rifle, was the first intimation his sleeping comrades had of danger. Though but a lad, fear was a feeling unknown to him; and he rushed into battle with a coolness and intrepidity, that would have done honour to a veteran whose hairs had grown grey in war.

Robert and Andrew Jackson, during the progress of the war, were made prisoners at the house of their uncle, Mr. Crawford, and carried to Camden, where they were treated with great inhumanity. In the refinement of cruelty, the brothers were separated. An incident occurred at the time of their capture, which is worthy of being related here. Whilst the British soldiers were plundering the house of Mr. Crawford, the commanding officer "ordered Andrew Jackson to clean his muddy boots." The young soldier refused, claiming to be treated with the respect due to a prisoner of war. Instead of admiring this manly spirit, in one so young, the cowardly ruffian struck at his head with his sword; but, throwing up his left hand, the intended victim received a gash upon it, the scar of which, he carried to his grave. Turning to Robert Jackson, the officer ordered him to perform the menial task, and receiving a like refusal, aimed a furious blow at his head also, and inflicted a wound, from which he never recovered.

In this incident, and throughout the revolutionary war, we see that proud, unbending, and heroic spirit, in the boy, that in after years made the man-the day-star of his country's glory. In the death of this brother, all of his family, save himself, had perished through English oppression. He and his widowed mother, were now alone. A kind Providence watched over and protected him from every danger, and he lived, not only to avenge the wrongs heaped upon him, his kindred, and his countrymen, by the tyrants of England, but long enough to see that country which she wished to manacle, spring from the cradle to manhood, and rival, as she